KIRKUS REVIEW

The early days of cinema change a young girl's perspective
on war.

To escape the Seattle rain and the gloom caused by her
physician father's departure to serve in World War I, 12-year-old Isobel's
mother packs the family (including 5-year-old sister Sylvie) off to visit Aunt
Buzzy, who's recently married and moved to a small California town called
Hollywood. Buzzy's stepson, Ranger, is obsessed with the town's nascent film
industry and quickly pulls Isobel, whom he tags for his leading lady, into a
series of escapades, including nearly drowning Sylvie, impersonating a Boy Scout
in a war bonds parade, and pretending to be a real movie extra, all so he can
create a movie that will impress his favorite director. Isobel is intrigued by
the way film allows stories to be created from small scenes shot out of
order; she begins to love the art of moviemaking. When her father returns
home badly damaged, Ranger's movie becomes a way to express the
family's love and grief. The novel is packed with cameos by Mary Pickford,
Douglas Fairbanks, and Charlie Chaplin (most of whom will be unfamiliar to young
readers but will nonetheless tantalize), fascinating tidbits about the early
days of film, and a relentless series of action scenes. Set dressing and quick
pace aside, as narrated by Isobel, the story relies on—and delivers—solid
characterization to drive it forward.

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